Fig. 1

The process of cross-pollination in C. ficifolium. A shows an original inflorescence of a maternal parent with an indication of the main bud cut position and angle in white. B shows the same inflorescence after removal of its main flower bud, as well as the terminal flowers and surrounding leaves on the remaining lateral flower branches thus leaving behind a few pistillate flowers in the inflorescence for crossing. These pistillate flowers were cross-pollinated from the designated paternal parent, and then covered by an organza bag as seen in C to prevent unwanted cross-pollination